TY - JOUR
T1 - Facial Pore Severity Is Associated With Age, Smoking Status and Tanning Bed Use
T2 - Results From a Large Dutch Population-Based Cohort
AU - Eecen, Christina M.W.
AU - de Brabander-Bethlem, Jolijn C.
AU - Velthuis, Peter
AU - Liu, Mengzhen
AU - Riley-Gillis, Bridget
AU - Therrien, Jean Philippe
AU - Nijsten, Tamar
AU - Pardo, Luba M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). JEADV Clinical Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
PY - 2025/12
Y1 - 2025/12
N2 - Background: While facial pores are a normal skin feature, they can be perceived as a cosmetic concern. Facial pore risk factors vary and contradict within the existing literature, with limited large-scale research in European middle-aged to older individuals, hindering generalization. Objectives: This cross-sectional study investigated facial pore appearance distribution across demographic, lifestyle, UV-related and dermatological variables by systematic grading of facial pores in a large population-based study.Methods: Photographs of Rotterdam Study (RS) participants were graded on an adapted photo-numeric grading scale from one (mild) to five (severe) to assess facial pore appearance severity. Uni- and multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyzed associations between (non-)dermatological variables and facial pore appearance severity, using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Interassessor reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: In total, 2293 participants were included (56.7% female; median age 54.0). Most prevalent were moderate to severe facial pores (37%), with 10% being the most pronounced (grade five). Previous and current smokers [OR 1.41 (CI 95% 1.18–1.67); OR 1.46 (CI 95% 1.16–1.86)] and individuals that excessively indoor tan [OR 1.61 (CI 95% 1.03–2.56)] were significantly associated with more severe facial pore appearance in the multivariable analysis. Age had a small but statistically significant effect [OR 0.98 (CI 95% 0.97–0.99)]. Our grading method showed high reliability of measurements. Conclusions: In this RS cohort, over one-third had moderate to severe facial pore appearance scores. Smoking and indoor tanning were modifiable determinants linked to more severe facial pores. For individuals concerned about their pore appearance, quitting smoking and reducing UV exposure are advisable strategies.
AB - Background: While facial pores are a normal skin feature, they can be perceived as a cosmetic concern. Facial pore risk factors vary and contradict within the existing literature, with limited large-scale research in European middle-aged to older individuals, hindering generalization. Objectives: This cross-sectional study investigated facial pore appearance distribution across demographic, lifestyle, UV-related and dermatological variables by systematic grading of facial pores in a large population-based study.Methods: Photographs of Rotterdam Study (RS) participants were graded on an adapted photo-numeric grading scale from one (mild) to five (severe) to assess facial pore appearance severity. Uni- and multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyzed associations between (non-)dermatological variables and facial pore appearance severity, using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Interassessor reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: In total, 2293 participants were included (56.7% female; median age 54.0). Most prevalent were moderate to severe facial pores (37%), with 10% being the most pronounced (grade five). Previous and current smokers [OR 1.41 (CI 95% 1.18–1.67); OR 1.46 (CI 95% 1.16–1.86)] and individuals that excessively indoor tan [OR 1.61 (CI 95% 1.03–2.56)] were significantly associated with more severe facial pore appearance in the multivariable analysis. Age had a small but statistically significant effect [OR 0.98 (CI 95% 0.97–0.99)]. Our grading method showed high reliability of measurements. Conclusions: In this RS cohort, over one-third had moderate to severe facial pore appearance scores. Smoking and indoor tanning were modifiable determinants linked to more severe facial pores. For individuals concerned about their pore appearance, quitting smoking and reducing UV exposure are advisable strategies.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012901259
U2 - 10.1002/jvc2.70128
DO - 10.1002/jvc2.70128
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105012901259
SN - 2768-6566
VL - 4
SP - 1090
EP - 1100
JO - JEADV Clinical Practice
JF - JEADV Clinical Practice
IS - 5
ER -